Jacqueline’s guidebook
Sightseeing
This sanctuary indeed has birds. There are a couple of gravel trail loops with some interpretative signs to walk and is a peaceful place for anyone but especially wildlife photographers.
It is a 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk. Rentable scooters are also available in the summer months to get here.
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre
2425 9 Ave SEThis sanctuary indeed has birds. There are a couple of gravel trail loops with some interpretative signs to walk and is a peaceful place for anyone but especially wildlife photographers.
It is a 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk. Rentable scooters are also available in the summer months to get here.
One of the best parks. Walk here easily passing the zoo on your way. There are regularly programmed activities by the City, but some of Calgary's oldest growth trees and the birds that live in them. A huge urban manmade hill is perfect for sunsets or rolling down, and a wading river allows anyone from Fido to babies to cool down safely in the summer. There are picnic sites, and a playground within site. If you walk there, be sure to cross at the far end and walk back along the other side of the river past Fort Calgary.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
St. George's Island
One of the best parks. Walk here easily passing the zoo on your way. There are regularly programmed activities by the City, but some of Calgary's oldest growth trees and the birds that live in them. A huge urban manmade hill is perfect for sunsets or rolling down, and a wading river allows anyone from Fido to babies to cool down safely in the summer. There are picnic sites, and a playground within site. If you walk there, be sure to cross at the far end and walk back along the other side of the river past Fort Calgary.
When it opened as one of Architectural Digest’s most anticipated buildings of 2018, the Calgary Central Library already was being celebrated for its beauty as well as its brains. Variously described as resembling an open book, snowflakes, snowdrifts or ice cracking on a lake, the library’s curved exterior surface is outfitted with a hexagonal pattern. It even has a train going right underneath, and an indoor play space for 0-5 year olds.
It's definitely selfie worthy and only a 1 mile walk or 5 minute bus ride with service just a block away.
148 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Central Library
800 3 St SEWhen it opened as one of Architectural Digest’s most anticipated buildings of 2018, the Calgary Central Library already was being celebrated for its beauty as well as its brains. Variously described as resembling an open book, snowflakes, snowdrifts or ice cracking on a lake, the library’s curved exterior surface is outfitted with a hexagonal pattern. It even has a train going right underneath, and an indoor play space for 0-5 year olds.
It's definitely selfie worthy and only a 1 mile walk or 5 minute bus ride with service just a block away.
You can see kayakers and people floating down the man-made rapids in just a life jacket here. In the daytime this cold but crazy waterslide is full of families looking to cool off, and in the evenings the crowd is usually young adults and those discretely having a beverage with friends. It is something you have to see to believe.
If you want to borrow a life jacket let us know - you should NOT go in the Bow River without one. It can be extremely cold and dangerous. Children should never be left unsupervised or further than an arm's length away - use caution, but check it out. You can drive to Peace Estate park and have a bbq or walk the interpretive trails by Harvie Passage or you can walk to the park from our house for a scenic 2km walk.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Harvie Passage
You can see kayakers and people floating down the man-made rapids in just a life jacket here. In the daytime this cold but crazy waterslide is full of families looking to cool off, and in the evenings the crowd is usually young adults and those discretely having a beverage with friends. It is something you have to see to believe.
If you want to borrow a life jacket let us know - you should NOT go in the Bow River without one. It can be extremely cold and dangerous. Children should never be left unsupervised or further than an arm's length away - use caution, but check it out. You can drive to Peace Estate park and have a bbq or walk the interpretive trails by Harvie Passage or you can walk to the park from our house for a scenic 2km walk.
We are 800m from the South entrance to the zoo, so this makes sense to visit. However, the entrance may only be open in the North when you come, making a car the most logical way to get there. Highlights are the Penguin Plunge, the Canadian Wild with it's huge shaded playground, the gorillas, and the hippos, especially on a warm day when they're outside. The zoo has a breeding program to help with animal conservation, and uses funding and education to promote wildlife habitat conservation. During the 2012 unprecedented flood, the entire zoo was under metres of water, and staff risked their life to save even the smallest of animals. The stories found on youtube will give you goosebumps. It is unlike any zoo you will visit. Even the gardens and butterfly exhibit are worth the trip alone.
745 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zoológico de Calgary
We are 800m from the South entrance to the zoo, so this makes sense to visit. However, the entrance may only be open in the North when you come, making a car the most logical way to get there. Highlights are the Penguin Plunge, the Canadian Wild with it's huge shaded playground, the gorillas, and the hippos, especially on a warm day when they're outside. The zoo has a breeding program to help with animal conservation, and uses funding and education to promote wildlife habitat conservation. During the 2012 unprecedented flood, the entire zoo was under metres of water, and staff risked their life to save even the smallest of animals. The stories found on youtube will give you goosebumps. It is unlike any zoo you will visit. Even the gardens and butterfly exhibit are worth the trip alone.
This is the most interactive science centre you will visit for kids under 5. It is easily worth the admission for the hands-on play that kids get, and it's air-conditioned for hot days, which is a very rare amenity in Calgary outside malls. The centre has movies and changing exhibitions for adults, and a spectacular food area. They also host adults-only nights, including romantic ones on special days.
362 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
TELUS Spark
This is the most interactive science centre you will visit for kids under 5. It is easily worth the admission for the hands-on play that kids get, and it's air-conditioned for hot days, which is a very rare amenity in Calgary outside malls. The centre has movies and changing exhibitions for adults, and a spectacular food area. They also host adults-only nights, including romantic ones on special days.
This is a full day of travelling, but if you have not visited Tyrrell and understood the importance of this place, you are missing out. There are numerous hiking trails around there in the hoodoos, as well as plenty of educational exhibits both at the museum and around Drumheller. Drumheller was the site for the latest Ghostbusters movie as well, and has one of the most unique small-town cultures. There is a fantastic spray park near the tourist centre in Drumheller if you are travelling with kids.
135 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo Real Tyrrell de Paleontología
1500 N Dinosaur TrailThis is a full day of travelling, but if you have not visited Tyrrell and understood the importance of this place, you are missing out. There are numerous hiking trails around there in the hoodoos, as well as plenty of educational exhibits both at the museum and around Drumheller. Drumheller was the site for the latest Ghostbusters movie as well, and has one of the most unique small-town cultures. There is a fantastic spray park near the tourist centre in Drumheller if you are travelling with kids.
Book ahead to visit here, but you won't regret it. Spend the day hiking, snowshoeing, x-skiing or downhill skiing in "K-country" and then relax at the Nordic spa that recently opened and is a delight. Kananaskis is indeed the most popular destination for outdoor-loving Calgarians. Note there is an annual pass program in place as of 2021. But in our opinion this is merely an inconvenience for the awe you will encounter on these peaks anytime of year.
60 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kananaskis Nordic Spa
1 Centennial DrBook ahead to visit here, but you won't regret it. Spend the day hiking, snowshoeing, x-skiing or downhill skiing in "K-country" and then relax at the Nordic spa that recently opened and is a delight. Kananaskis is indeed the most popular destination for outdoor-loving Calgarians. Note there is an annual pass program in place as of 2021. But in our opinion this is merely an inconvenience for the awe you will encounter on these peaks anytime of year.
Food scene
This is the original hidden ice cream place that made waves in Calgary. Another location is now just as close across the river in Bridgeland, but whichever one you choose, the ice cream is our family's ultimate hipster indulgence.
165 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Village Ice Cream
431 10 Ave SEThis is the original hidden ice cream place that made waves in Calgary. Another location is now just as close across the river in Bridgeland, but whichever one you choose, the ice cream is our family's ultimate hipster indulgence.
An indoor market featuring local artists, food providers and also an eclectic mixture of flea market vendors, this is a place you have to see to understand. In the summer there are more outdoor venues carrying BC fruit and AB produce, but anytime of year makes this place a unique place to people watch.
Get here by driving straight down 12th Street SE. The walk is 10 minutes but it's an unsightly walk.
70 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Crossroads Market
1235 26 Ave SEAn indoor market featuring local artists, food providers and also an eclectic mixture of flea market vendors, this is a place you have to see to understand. In the summer there are more outdoor venues carrying BC fruit and AB produce, but anytime of year makes this place a unique place to people watch.
Get here by driving straight down 12th Street SE. The walk is 10 minutes but it's an unsightly walk.
This place is just one of many music venues along 9th Avenue as part of Music Mile. Others include Festival Hall, the Blues Can, the National Music Centre and pop-ups all along 9th Ave in the summer months. You can see live music here most nights, or even oddball open mic performers, maybe even your co-host on his guitar!
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ironwood Stage & Grill
1229 9 Ave SEThis place is just one of many music venues along 9th Avenue as part of Music Mile. Others include Festival Hall, the Blues Can, the National Music Centre and pop-ups all along 9th Ave in the summer months. You can see live music here most nights, or even oddball open mic performers, maybe even your co-host on his guitar!
As part of the 5 local micro-breweries in Inglewood, Cold Garden is one of the most unique. Inspired by psychedelia, this is a casual place with bench seating, and many dogs. Yes, you can bring your kids or your dog to this brewery. Kids can go to all breweries, but this one also allows Fido to come in. Try their famous beer CakeFace as your digestif for the night.
80 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cold Garden Beverage Company
1100 11 St SEAs part of the 5 local micro-breweries in Inglewood, Cold Garden is one of the most unique. Inspired by psychedelia, this is a casual place with bench seating, and many dogs. Yes, you can bring your kids or your dog to this brewery. Kids can go to all breweries, but this one also allows Fido to come in. Try their famous beer CakeFace as your digestif for the night.
Rosso started as a coffee shop nearby, but has become so popular as to have 7 locations in Calgary now. Inglewood is the busiest, and we think the best. Come here to have a sweet latte made with local honey, and a Breakfast Sammie made with their Cheddar Biscuits. It's the perfect hangover combination and only a short walk, or stumble, down the alley.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rosso Coffee Roasters - Inglewood
1402 9 Ave SERosso started as a coffee shop nearby, but has become so popular as to have 7 locations in Calgary now. Inglewood is the busiest, and we think the best. Come here to have a sweet latte made with local honey, and a Breakfast Sammie made with their Cheddar Biscuits. It's the perfect hangover combination and only a short walk, or stumble, down the alley.
This is hands-down Calgary's best outdoor plaza. Nestled in East Village, along the riverwalk, you can grab a coffee from one venue, and a local pastry by another within the same historic building that once made mattresses. Sit outside and watch Calgary's active scene with cyclists, joggers, and rentable scooters flying by. This is a mile walk from our house, but a beautiful one.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Simmons Building
618 Confluence Way SEThis is hands-down Calgary's best outdoor plaza. Nestled in East Village, along the riverwalk, you can grab a coffee from one venue, and a local pastry by another within the same historic building that once made mattresses. Sit outside and watch Calgary's active scene with cyclists, joggers, and rentable scooters flying by. This is a mile walk from our house, but a beautiful one.
This is a restaurant for a fancy occasion. Inside a historic hotel, it has local food and prices to match, but it's worth the splurge. If you are wanting a cocktail, an adjacent cocktail lounge is luxurious for a starting point for the night.
80 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Nash
925 11 St SEThis is a restaurant for a fancy occasion. Inside a historic hotel, it has local food and prices to match, but it's worth the splurge. If you are wanting a cocktail, an adjacent cocktail lounge is luxurious for a starting point for the night.
Voted Calgary's BEST burger, you must get take-out from here. It's on the end of the block and will likely have a lineup. It is also the best place for soft serve ice cream, and even has the Dole Whip. There are vegan burgers too.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Inglewood Drive In
802 12 Street SEVoted Calgary's BEST burger, you must get take-out from here. It's on the end of the block and will likely have a lineup. It is also the best place for soft serve ice cream, and even has the Dole Whip. There are vegan burgers too.
While my vegan days are long gone thanks to my meat-eating kids, this restaurant is the place my vegan friends love the MOST. Best of all, it is just down the street from another vegan place - Canelas, which features vegan pastries and the cinnamon buns are to die for.
Vegan Street Taco Bar (Inglewood)
1413 9 Avenue SoutheastWhile my vegan days are long gone thanks to my meat-eating kids, this restaurant is the place my vegan friends love the MOST. Best of all, it is just down the street from another vegan place - Canelas, which features vegan pastries and the cinnamon buns are to die for.
The most romantic restaurant in Calgary set in an urban park. You must park and walk in to Prince's Island park to eat here. It's great for brunch or a romantic, local food meal. It is a pricier option, but the extra romance is free.
134 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
River Cafe
The most romantic restaurant in Calgary set in an urban park. You must park and walk in to Prince's Island park to eat here. It's great for brunch or a romantic, local food meal. It is a pricier option, but the extra romance is free.
Playgrounds
This is the best playground for spending all afternoon with restless kids. It's best for kids 5-12, but you will meet babies and toddlers here too. There are a couple of picnic benches in the shade, a water fountain for kids and Fido, and friendly families that will talk your ear off.
Nellie Breen Park
703 14 Street SoutheastThis is the best playground for spending all afternoon with restless kids. It's best for kids 5-12, but you will meet babies and toddlers here too. There are a couple of picnic benches in the shade, a water fountain for kids and Fido, and friendly families that will talk your ear off.
While you CAN visit this local museum featuring Calgary's original fort, I am featuring this here for the playground that is between the fort and the Simmons Building. If you have restless kids, walk here and visit one of our kids' favourite playgrounds. Then get a coffee inside at a local coffee shop in the Simmons Building.
111 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fuerte Calgary
750 9 Ave SEWhile you CAN visit this local museum featuring Calgary's original fort, I am featuring this here for the playground that is between the fort and the Simmons Building. If you have restless kids, walk here and visit one of our kids' favourite playgrounds. Then get a coffee inside at a local coffee shop in the Simmons Building.
Neighbourhoods
Other than Inglewood, this is our favourite destination.
Great eating such as burgers from BlueStar Diner, spicy peanut satay pho from Golden Bell, pizza from Uno, ice cream from Village Ice Cream or MadebyMarcus,
A huge playground at the community centre,
Plenty of coffee shops, and
The pharmacy turned corner store/vinyl records/ice cream/coffee shop called Luke's
We are lucky to be just a skip across the river from this gem. Best visited by walking the scenic 2km or renting scooters,
Bridgeland Place
736 McDougall Court NortheastOther than Inglewood, this is our favourite destination.
Great eating such as burgers from BlueStar Diner, spicy peanut satay pho from Golden Bell, pizza from Uno, ice cream from Village Ice Cream or MadebyMarcus,
A huge playground at the community centre,
Plenty of coffee shops, and
The pharmacy turned corner store/vinyl records/ice cream/coffee shop called Luke's
We are lucky to be just a skip across the river from this gem. Best visited by walking the scenic 2km or renting scooters,
If you want to see Calgary's vibrant youth, get to the Beltline, "17th Ave" or The Red Mile during the hockey playoffs as it culminates in the Saddledome where the Calgary Flames play. From shisha bars, the local DJ scene, to an old school burlesque bar, everything and everyone along here is full of youthful energy.
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Beltline
If you want to see Calgary's vibrant youth, get to the Beltline, "17th Ave" or The Red Mile during the hockey playoffs as it culminates in the Saddledome where the Calgary Flames play. From shisha bars, the local DJ scene, to an old school burlesque bar, everything and everyone along here is full of youthful energy.
Grocery stores
This is a high end market with Italian food staples, and an eatery with amazing pizza and gelato.
Lina's, Italian Piazza
This is a high end market with Italian food staples, and an eatery with amazing pizza and gelato.
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Transit, bikes and walking are easiest in the inner city
If you're going to Stampede, it's best to walk or take transit (bus or the "ctrain) a few stops.
If you're visiting the outskirts, you will want a car as it can take 1 hour or more to get most places by transit if it isn't along the Calgary "ctrain".
Calgary Transit tickets can be purchased at a ctrain platform. The nearest one is at City Hall, a 1-mile trip from us. Many places also sell them, like Shoppers Drug Mart.
Qué debes empacar
Dry, windy, and variable
The temperatures in winter can go from -20 to +10 overnight due to a Chinook. The best footwear is one for slush and muck in the winter, but the summers are often quite dry.
Pack eye drops, hand lotion, and sunscreen if you go to the mountains, and even if you don't. The altitude is high here and you will feel it.
Rarely does it rain. We get more sunshine annually than Florida so you can probably leave the rain jacket but pack a down jacket for the cooler nights. That said, it can get stifling hot in July and August.
Frases útiles
Everything is "about 20 minutes" away.
Nothing is 20 minutes away. This is how Calgarians talk and they usually mean in perfect road conditions without any traffic. There is immense sprawl in this city, so be prepared to pay huge taxi/uber fares if you venture far from the inner city.